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private instruction ensemble programs all instruments rock band camps recording instruction www mojomusic ca w w w . o a kv ill eb ea ve r.c o m O A KV IL LE B EA V ER Th ur sd ay , Se pt em be r 2 , 2 01 0 4 By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Despite the danger Private Luke Tresham, 24, was looking forward to his upcoming deployment to Afghanistan. His parents say that Tresham, a longtime Oakville resident and Canadian Forces soldier, wanted to be deployed not so much because he was a soldier and Afghanistan would give him the opportunity to test his skills, but because he believed there was a cause there that was actually worth fighting for. Sadly the Queen Elizabeth Park High School graduate would never make it to Afghanistan. Tresham died suddenly in the early morning hours of Friday, July 30, while at the home of a friend in Petawawa. An autopsy of Treshams body showed no conclusive reason for his death although his parents say offi- cials are leaning towards a sudden heart arrhythmia (irregular heart- beat) as the possible cause. Whatever the reason for his death, today Treshams friends and family continue to mourn his loss and find ways to celebrate his life. The thing about Luke was hes got friends from Grade 3 that he kept until his last day, said Garry ODonnell, Treshams stepfather. I know I never had friends from Grade 3 who lasted much past Grade 6. He maintained friendships for quite a long time. Thats quite pro- found and was a real characteristic of the guy. Treshams mother, Kim ODonnell, remembers her sons compassion noting he was always there for his friends and colleagues when they were going through rough times. She said he was very devoted to his family and would constantly phone them to see how they were doing and to let them know what was going on with him. Despite all his comings and goings, he would always call. Someone in the military said he would phone more than any other soldier, said Kim. At Meaford during the G8, I thought they were on security shut- down because we werent hearing from him. Then one night he called and said, Mom I might lose you because Im standing on the highest hill I could find in Meaford, so I might lose you, but I just wanted to call. Someone later told us he was the only one who had climbed to the top of the hill at 11 p.m. to find cell reception. Treshams family are not the only ones missing him. On a Youtube site set up in his honour, several friends also share fond memories of their time with Tresham. During Mondays council meeting Roger Lapworth, Ward 4 Councillor and former neighbour of the ODonnell family also talked about Tresham, whom he called a friend. Luke lived a full, passionate life and was dedicated and tenacious in sports, fishing and enjoyed the out- doors especially here in Oakville, said Lapworth. Born in North York, Treshams family moved to Oakville when he was in Grade 2. After graduating from Queen Elizabeth Park High School Tresham briefly attended Sheridan College where he took a tool and dye course, but soon dropped out. He tried different part-time jobs. He was a tree planter and after that he worked for Bronte Movers, which he really enjoyed. Luke liked physical work, he was not an academic, you could never put Luke behind a desk, said Kim. He was intuitive, but he was not a pen and paper young man. It was at this time Tresham, then 20 years old, decided to join the mili- tary, following in the footsteps of his father Kent. The decision was met with mixed views from his family. I was very proud of him, but very worried at the same time. Luke did well in a structured environment. I knew it would be good for him. I knew he could excel, but along with that came concerns that he would be on the front lines because he did choose infantry, said Kim. It turned out to be good for him. Tresham did struggle in basic training, initially with the rigorous physical requirements and the intense organizational skills needed to make it in the military. At one point, he told his parents he was in danger of being ejected from the program, but at no time did he ever consider giving up, they said. In the end Tresham would rally and graduate the course with the title of most improved soldier. Garry said this rally mirrored something Tresham had done while playing hockey in Oakville as a youth, working hard to move from the last pick to the first. It was never easy for the guy, said Garry. He was an underdog, but always able to get past the underdog thing and if he thought you were an underdog he was with you. Over the next four years, Tresham would excel in the military becoming certified in the operation of military transport vehicles while stationed at the Canadian Forces Base in Petawawa. Tresham craved deployment to Afghanistan and believing he would Oakville soldier looked forward to deployment Private Luke Tresham See Soldier page 5